Bhutan Cordyceps health benefits advices? Luckily, there is a species of Cordyceps that has a compound profile extremely similar to C. sinesis, known as Cordyceps militaris. In fact, these two mushrooms have historically been used interchangeably in traditional Chinese medicine. Thanks to recent breakthroughs, the actual fruiting body of C. militaris can be cultivated reliably and affordably. The method of cultivation doesn’t even require the use of insects. This means that cultivated C. militaris can be considered vegan, and can deliver all the same benefits as C. sinesis without the high price or the ecological impact of harvesting a diminishing resource. Producing the actual fruiting body also helps to make certain the identity of the fungus, since Cordyceps militaris is easily recognizable.

Cordyceps harvesters will then dry the cordyceps, grade them accordingly and send them to the local auction markets before it becomes available to the rest of the economy. Auctions are restricted to registered Bhutanese traders. Auctions are conducted in the township of Bumthang, Wangduephordang, Gasa, Paro, Thimphu, Lhuneshe and Trashiyangtse typically at the Gup Office (county mayor). This information is updated by the Department of Agricultural Marketing and Cooperatives,, part of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests (MoAF) of Bhutan.

Researchers have found that the mycelia of domestic Cordyceps sinensis varieties contain the same pharmacological components and medicinal properties as the original, wild Cordyceps. This also applies to (domestic) mycelia of Cordyceps militaris. Every year, in late June, licensed Bhutanese farmers will ascend the sacred mountains in the regions of Paro, Wangduephodrang, Gasa, Lhuntse, Trashigang, Trashiyangtse, and Bumthang in search of Cordyceps. See more details on Bhutan Cordyceps.

The Royal Government of Bhutan legalized the harvesting of cordyceps in 2004. Since then, cordyceps have been harvested extensively in the alpine meadows of the country at elevations of above 5000 meters above sea level. Environmental conditions play a key determinant in the quality of the cordyceps. When it comes to harvesting, only handpicking is allowed to ensure that there is minimal damage to the environment. The harvesting of cordyceps in Bhutan is highly regulated. Only households belonging from specific region is allowed to harvest and harvesting is only allowed for a month period.

Cordyceps collection has greatly improved the lives of the people. Moreover, in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, cordyceps is believed to fight fatigue, have anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties. After the legalisation of the harvesting of cordyceps by the Royal Government of Bhutan in 2004, it has been harvested extensively in the preserved pristine alpine meadows of Bhutan. “In the past, all our household income was dependent on agricultural works and we used to plough our fields with oxen. Now, after the legalisation of Cordyceps collection, everyone is well off. Every household has 2 to 3 cars now. Each year, there are about 3 new houses constructed here,” Dorji Tenpa from Nangsiphel said. Find more details on here.